AP Literature Terms

a belief that emphasizes faith and optimism in human potential and creativity

A question with an obvious answer, so no response is expected (used for emphasis)

In Anglo-Saxon poetry, where the name of a thing is replaced by its functions or qualities

in poetry, the use of successive lines with no punctuation or pause between them

a character’s speech to the audience, in which emotions and ideas are revealed

Latin for “seize the day”. Frequent in 16th and 17th century poetry

a character whose name appears in the title of the novel or play

A short speech by an actor to the audience rather than to the other characters

an extended narrative poem -tells of the adventures and exploits of a hero that often legendary

where the intended meaning is the opposite of what is stated, often implying sarcasm

a poet; in older times, a performer who told heroic stories to musical accompaniment

a stereotypical character; a type. Audience expects character to have certain characteristics

insolence, arrogance, or pride.

sentence that delivers its point at the end; usually constructed as a subordinate+ main clause.

Reference in literature to previous literature, history, mythology, current events or the Bible

a form of writing which replicates the way the human mind works. Presented in random order

The repetition consonant sounds at the beginning of words that are close to each other.

a novel in which supernatural horrors and an atmosphere of unknown terrors pervades the action

Humor that provides a release of tension and breaks up a more serious episode

A defect in a hero or heroine that leads to his or her downfall.

three periods indicating the omission of words in a thought or quotation

The main or principal character in a work, often considered the hero or heroine

works considered most important in a national literature or period; widely read and studied

a work that beings in the middle of the story

a character or entity that functions as a resisting force

A fourteen-line love poem in iambic pentameter